What does it mean to "engage" a learner? or to "engage" a community?
The notes below emerged from a discussion around engaging learners, in 2005. We've used these as a starting point for our conference discussion, in the September online event, "Tapping into Resources" (you'll need to login before this link will work. The engagement theme was also a focus of our presentation at the eDayz conference (Details here: including mind map from session).
Primary factors include:
the "WIIFM Factor" (what's in it for me?),
using fun and motivating resources,
being aware of your learners' needs and goals.
Ideas and strategies around "engaging" have included:
know your learners well (who they are and what they want) - be prepared with good tools to evaluate or profile their skills, needs and goals;
"need to show students how they could achieve something";
give your participants ownership of the process and content, as well as a sense of positive achievement - perhaps ask people to build up their public profile, with a photo, or even video;
explain what resources and tools are available - then ask what people want, and for their ideas - maybe they'll have their own new ideas about working with technology;
make (some of) the learning fun - any way you can (eg. use ms.powerpoint as a fun way to learn skills needed for ms.word)
use visuals, audio, animation, interaction (between learners, as well as computer-to-human);
find an engaging theme for tailored learning resources; and combine learning resources with discussion tools;
enable some of your learners to work as mentors;
introduce literacy "by stealth" (and maybe technology as well, eg. use ms.powerpoint to work with photos in a group);
find a form of technology that your participants are already comfortable with (if possible) as an introduction ..
Learners respond differently to different approaches and technologies (some learners need fun, others need 'timely management');
Plus, to engage local community or business
run an open community or business lunch/ information session;
or offer a presentation at an already scheduled industry meeting;
What does it mean to "engage" a learner? or to "engage" a community?
The notes below emerged from a discussion around engaging learners, in 2005. We've used these as a starting point for our conference discussion, in the September online event, "Tapping into Resources" (you'll need to login before this link will work. The engagement theme was also a focus of our presentation at the eDayz conference (Details here: including mind map from session).
Ideas and strategies around "engaging" have included:
Plus, to engage local community or business
Image Radio Star by fodt at flickr.